How Much Does Daycare Cost in Surprise, AZ, AZ?
Infant center-based care averages $980/month in Surprise, AZ. 20% below national avg. Toddler care runs $860/month, preschool $740/month.
Surprise, AZ average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$980
20% below national avg
Toddler (center)
$860
$10,320/year
Preschool (center)
$740
$8,880/year
School Age
$610
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$740
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,350
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Surprise, AZ vs. Arizona vs. National Average
How Surprise, AZ compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $980/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $860/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $740/mo |
| School Age — Center | $610/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $740/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,350/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Surprise, AZ
Full-time infant center care in Surprise, AZ costs $11,760/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Surprise, AZ families pay $3,000 less per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$11,760
Toddler / year
$10,320
Preschool / year
$8,880
School Age / year
$7,320
Childcare Subsidies in Arizona
Arizona participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $5,600/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $700/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Surprise, AZ
How much does daycare cost in Surprise, AZ?
Infant center-based daycare in Surprise, AZ averages $980/month in 2026. That's $250 below the national average of $1230/month — more affordable than many major metros.
How does Surprise, AZ compare to the Arizona state average?
Surprise, AZ infant daycare runs about $20/month (2%) below the Arizona statewide average of $1000/month. See all daycare costs in Arizona.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Surprise, AZ?
Yes. In Surprise, AZ: infant care ($980/month) → toddler care ($860/month, 12% drop) → preschool ($740/month, 24% drop from infant) → school age ($610/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Surprise, AZ?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Surprise, AZ averages $2,350/month versus $980/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Arizona daycare costs
See the full Arizona statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Arizona state costs →Compare all 100 cities
See daycare costs across every major US city side by side.
Daycare cost by city →Daycare Costs in Other Cities
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